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Home Instead Senior Care, 7716 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey, has teamed up with nonprofit organizations and area retailers to sponsor its fourth annual "Be a Santa to a Senior" program to bring holiday cheer to isolated seniors in west Pasco.

Local nonprofits have identified needy, isolated seniors and provided those names to Home Instead Senior Care.

Home Instead Senior Care placed Christmas wreaths and trees in local businesses on Nov. 1. They feature ornaments with the first names of the seniors and their respective gift requests.

Customers can pick an ornament, buy items on the list and return the unwrapped items to the store with the senior ornament attached. Home Instead volunteers will collect and wrap the gifts on Dec. 15, then distribute the gifts to the seniors from Dec. 17 through 21.

The program is open to area businesses. For a complete list of participating businesses, or for information on sponsoring a tree or wreath at your business, call the Home Instead office at (727) 845-5819.

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Verizon Wireless has opened a new store at 9431 U.S. 19 in Port Richey. The new store incorporates numerous energy-efficiency elements and was constructed with environmentally friendly materials to earn a Silver-level LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 4,300-square-foot store also features Verizon's newest "evolution" design, which integrates a number of innovative systems and enhancements to increase customer satisfaction and streamline the sales process.

In addition, the store will feature a "HopeLine" display site to collect old wireless phones and accessories. The materials are recycled and/or refurbished safely, rather than ending up in a landfill. The recycling proceeds and/or refurbished phones are donated to help local domestic violence agencies.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call Chris Britton, store manager, at (727) 841-0872.

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FreightCenter.com, a national freight shipping services provider, is offering a discount to customers who wish to support the company's Toys for Tots and Feeding America campaign drives.

Customers who stop by the corporate office at 2049 Welbilt Blvd., Trinity, to donate an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots of West Pasco, or edible dry goods for Feeding America, will receive a $50 coupon, good for any freight shipment less than a truckload booked online.

FreightCenter.com will make a donation to purchase T-shirts for Toys for Tots of West Pasco volunteers to wear on distribution day.

For information, call (727) 450-7835.

Who's news

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recently announced the recipients of its third quarter Volunteer Five Star and One Star awards.

The Five Star award recipients are Carole Murphy, Jackie Ruth and Geri Wojcik.

Murphy began volunteering in September 2009 and has volunteered 2,318 hours. She volunteers as a courier and a cashier in the gift shop, and helps stuff the "Heart" pillows the hospital gives to its cardiac surgical patients.

Ruth began volunteering in July 2009 and has 1,645 volunteer hours. She volunteers in the gift shop as a cashier and also in the shop's inventory area.

Wojcik began volunteering at the hospital in February 2005 and has 1,257 volunteer hours. She volunteers in Welcome Center D.

The One Star award recipients are Frank Cianci, Wilma Comeau and Ken Mercer.

Cianci began volunteering in April 2005 and has more than 1,152 hours. Comeau began volunteering in July 2010 and has more than 519 hours. Mercer began volunteering in March 2004 and has more than 580 hours.

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Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recently announced the 2011 third quarter recipients of its Employee Essential Piece award and its service award recipients. The Essential Piece award recognizes employees for their demonstration of customer service.

Servidio, in medical telemetry, has been with the hospital for one year. Bialkoski, a registered nurse in the special care unit, has been with the hospital since June 1994. Edwards, in laboratory, has been with the hospital since January 2008.

• "How to Write a Grant Proposal," from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the South Holiday Branch Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday. Explore the truths and why of grant writing, and gain information on the key steps in the grant writing process.

To register, visit score439.org and click on the Workshops & Events tab, or call the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638.

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The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly Chamber Breakfast at 7 a.m. Thursday at Chancey Road Christian Church, 34921 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills. The event is sponsored by the Ministerial Association. For information, call (813) 782-1913.

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The networking group Women Helping Women will have its annual holiday shopping event Thursday at the Fox Hollow Country Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity. Check-in starts at 11:15 a.m. and lunch begins at 11:30.

The cost is $11.50 and includes lunch. Vendors will have a variety of items available for purchase. There will also be opportunities to meet and network. Guests are asked to bring a toy or needed item for a senior to benefit local organizations and charities WHW supports. All items will be distributed.

Contact June Gustus at June@FortressPI.com. for a reservation.

If you have business announcements you would like to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Pasco Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also email items to jhayes@tampabaytimes.com or fax them to (352) 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.

• Hudson Networking Group: West Pasco Chamber's business card and brochure exchange is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the IHOP restaurant, 12426 U.S. 19, Hudson. The event is sponsored by Pontlitz Asset Advisors. The cost is $10 per person. For reservations, call the chamber at (727) 842-7651 by Monday.

• West Pasco Business Association: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2150 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity. The association is made up of professionals who work together to promote each others' businesses. The group meets every Tuesday. Visit westpascobusinessassociation.com.